--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As the sea-crab swimmeth always against…" description: "\"As the sea-crab swimmeth always against the stream, so doth wit always against wisdom.\" — Pythagoras" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/pythagoras-2290_crab_as-the-sea-crab-swimmeth-always-against_2541155.jpg" --- # As the sea-crab swimmeth always against the stream, so… ![“As the sea-crab swimmeth always against the stream, so doth wit always against wisdom.” quote by Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/pythagoras-2290_crab_as-the-sea-crab-swimmeth-always-against_2541155.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/pythagoras-2290_crab_as-the-sea-crab-swimmeth-always-against_2541155.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/pythagoras-2290_crab_as-the-sea-crab-swimmeth-always-against_2541155.jpg) > “As the sea-crab swimmeth always against the stream, so doth wit always against wisdom.” [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Wit challenges conventional wisdom, often swimming against prevailing currents. **In simple terms:** Wit opposes common sense. Key Takeaway Value critical thinking over conformity. Themes wisdom wit conformity critical thinking Mood thoughtful provocative Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - debates - creative problem solving - education Key Concepts philosophy logic Questions to Reflect On - When should you trust intuition over tradition? - How can wit be constructively applied? A Different Perspective Wit may be dismissed if too contrarian. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Crab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crab/) [Crab Swimmeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crab-swimmeth-1435141/) [Crabs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crabs/) [Sea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sea/) [Sea Crab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sea-crab-1435142/) [Streams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/streams/) [Swimmeth Stream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swimmeth-stream-1435143/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Wit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wit/) [Wit Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wit-wisdom-292041/) ## Related quotes > [I never watch MTV. I don't have time to watch TV. And when I do, I'm watching the Discovery Channel. 'Deadliest Catch: Crab Fishing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-schroeder/i-never-watch-mtv-i-don-t-have-time-to-watch-tv-and-when-i-do-i-m/) [Carly Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-schroeder/) > [I'm a Cancerian, the typical crab with the tough outer shell and the soft bit in the middle. I don't think I'll ever come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-jenkins/i-m-a-cancerian-the-typical-crab-with-the-tough-outer-shell-and-the/) [Katherine Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-jenkins/) > [There is an animal inside me, clutching fast to my heart, a huge crab.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-sexton/there-is-an-animal-inside-me-clutching-fast-to-my-heart-a-huge-crab/) [Anne Sexton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-sexton/) > [You will never make the crab walk straight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristophanes/you-will-never-make-the-crab-walk-straight/) [Aristophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristophanes/) > [And in the fountain squatted a giant crab. I’m not talking ‘giant’ like $7.99 all-you-can-eat Alaskan king crab. I’m talking ‘giant’ like bigger than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/and-in-the-fountain-squatted-a-giant-crab-i-m-not-talking-giant-like/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [The simplest way to prepare Dungeness crabs is to boil them in the shell and set them in front of your guests with crab…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/the-simplest-way-to-prepare-dungeness-crabs-is-to-boil-them-in-the/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [I once fell in love with a crab on the beach. 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I take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hutchinson/it-s-always-weird-when-i-meet-people-who-don-t-know-how-to-crack/) [Eric Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hutchinson/) > [What is the pattern that connects the crab to the lobster and the primrose to the orchid, and all of them to me, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-bateson/what-is-the-pattern-that-connects-the-crab-to-the-lobster-and-the/) [Gregory Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-bateson/) > [The 'crabs in a barrel' mentality only exists if we view ourselves as a crab.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/porsha-williams/the-crabs-in-a-barrel-mentality-only-exists-if-we-view-ourselves-as-a/) [Porsha Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/porsha-williams/) > [I've always wanted to be a giant space crab.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabe-newell/i-ve-always-wanted-to-be-a-giant-space-crab/) [Gabe Newell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabe-newell/) > [Only you pick that crab. Nobody else take it. I already know this. Everyone else want best quality. You thinking different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/only-you-pick-that-crab-nobody-else-take-it-i-already-know-this/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [As a boy I was a hermit crab, but I soon came out of my shell. Now I am a pincer crab, and soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-yorke/as-a-boy-i-was-a-hermit-crab-but-i-soon-came-out-of-my-shell-now-i-am/) [Thom Yorke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-yorke/) > [Religion must always be a crab fruit; it cannot be grafted, and keep its wild beauty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/religion-must-always-be-a-crab-fruit-it-cannot-be-grafted-and-keep/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More by Pythagoras > [The oldest, shortest words - 'yes' and 'no' - are those which require the most thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/the-oldest-shortest-words-yes-and-no-are-those-which-require-the-most/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [Truth is so great a perfection, that if God would render himself visible to men, he would choose light for his body and truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/truth-is-so-great-a-perfection-that-if-god-would-render-himself/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [None can be free who is a slave to, and ruled by, his passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/none-can-be-free-who-is-a-slave-to-and-ruled-by-his-passions/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [Above all have respect for yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/above-all-have-respect-for-yourself/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [“As long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seeds of murder and pain cannot reap the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/as-long-as-men-massacre-animals-they-will-kill-each-other-indeed-he/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [We ought so to behave to one another as to avoid making enemies of our friends, and at the same time to make friends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/we-ought-so-to-behave-to-one-another-as-to-avoid-making-enemies-of/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [There is no word or action but has its echo in Eternity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/there-is-no-word-or-action-but-has-its-echo-in-eternity/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [Know thyself and thou wilt know the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/know-thyself-and-thou-wilt-know-the-universe/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [Geometry is knowledge of the eternally existent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/geometry-is-knowledge-of-the-eternally-existent/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [If there be light, then there is darkness; if cold, heat; if height, depth; if solid, fluid; if hard, soft; if rough, smooth; if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/if-there-be-light-then-there-is-darkness-if-cold-heat-if-height-depth/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [“There is geometry in the humming of the string.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/there-is-geometry-in-the-humming-of-the-string/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [Above the cloud with its shadow is the star with its light. Above all things reverence thyself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/above-the-cloud-with-its-shadow-is-the-star-with-its-light-above-all/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [If men with fleshly mortals must be fed, and chew with bleeding teeth the breathing bread; what else is this but to devour our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/if-men-with-fleshly-mortals-must-be-fed-and-chew-with-bleeding-teeth/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [The oldest, shortest words - yes and o - are those which require the most thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/the-oldest-shortest-words-yes-and-o-are-those-which-require-the-most/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [When the wise man opens his mouth, the beauties of his soul present themselves to the view, like the statues in a temple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/when-the-wise-man-opens-his-mouth-the-beauties-of-his-soul-present/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) [Explore all 174 Pythagoras quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) ## More Crab quotes > [“A steaming plate appeared in front of Lex- the crab wontons, nestled in a lettuce leaf. Blond deep-fried dumplings. Maybe she'd walk out without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camy-tang/a-steaming-plate-appeared-in-front-of-lex-the-crab-wontons-nestled-in/) [Camy Tang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camy-tang/) > [“I am a crab. I am thinking crabby thoughts. I am tightening my grip on this rock with my big red pincers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yahtzee-croshaw/i-am-a-crab-i-am-thinking-crabby-thoughts-i-am-tightening-my-grip-on/) [Yahtzee Croshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yahtzee-croshaw/) > [You cannot teach a crab to walk straight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristophanes/you-cannot-teach-a-crab-to-walk-straight/) [Aristophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristophanes/) > [“...be as fast as Usain Bolt, the winner is the winner, even if he crawls like a crab, his destiny is unshakable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/be-as-fast-as-usain-bolt-the-winner-is-the-winner-even-if-he-crawls/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [I love king crab a lot. I love good Mexican food, good tacos, and chile rellenos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-chestnut/i-love-king-crab-a-lot-i-love-good-mexican-food-good-tacos-and-chile/) [Joey Chestnut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-chestnut/) > [Touring around the world, I think there's no single country where we haven't eaten chili crab.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jisoo/touring-around-the-world-i-think-there-s-no-single-country-where-we/) [Jisoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jisoo/) > [“But that was a long time ago and since then a crab has been gnawing at my vitals. All this began in the Metro…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/but-that-was-a-long-time-ago-and-since-then-a-crab-has-been-gnawing/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [I never watch MTV. I don't have time to watch TV. And when I do, I'm watching the Discovery Channel. 'Deadliest Catch: Crab Fishing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-schroeder/i-never-watch-mtv-i-don-t-have-time-to-watch-tv-and-when-i-do-i-m/) [Carly Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-schroeder/) > [Sweet, delicious Dungeness crab is always a treat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/sweet-delicious-dungeness-crab-is-always-a-treat/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [Crab meat is surprisingly sweet in its purest form, which is why it is often pepped up with zippy chilli and lifted with citrus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-khoo/crab-meat-is-surprisingly-sweet-in-its-purest-form-which-is-why-it-is/) [Rachel Khoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-khoo/) > [It's always a good idea to chill your crab cake mixture for a few hours, or even overnight, before frying because they'll hold together…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/it-s-always-a-good-idea-to-chill-your-crab-cake-mixture-for-a-few/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [While you can find zucchini in markets in most places year-round, allowing you to make everything from breakfast dishes like zucchini and onion frittatas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/while-you-can-find-zucchini-in-markets-in-most-places-year-round/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [As a boy I was a hermit crab, but I soon came out of my shell. Now I am a pincer crab, and soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-yorke/as-a-boy-i-was-a-hermit-crab-but-i-soon-came-out-of-my-shell-now-i-am/) [Thom Yorke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-yorke/) > [Wild garlic and crab is a revelatory pairing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-khoo/wild-garlic-and-crab-is-a-revelatory-pairing/) [Rachel Khoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-khoo/) > [Have you ever watched a crab on the shore crawling backward in search of the Atlantic Ocean, and missing? That's the way the mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/have-you-ever-watched-a-crab-on-the-shore-crawling-backward-in-search/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) [Browse all 63 Crab quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crab/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As the sea-crab swimmeth always against the stream, so doth wit always against wisdom.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Pythagoras" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/as-the-sea-crab-swimmeth-always-against-the-stream-so-doth-wit-always/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Crab" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/as-the-sea-crab-swimmeth-always-against-the-stream-so-doth-wit-always/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/pythagoras-2290_crab_as-the-sea-crab-swimmeth-always-against_2541155.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/pythagoras-2290_crab_as-the-sea-crab-swimmeth-always-against_2541155.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/pythagoras-2290_crab_as-the-sea-crab-swimmeth-always-against_2541155.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“As the sea-crab swimmeth always against the stream, so doth wit always against wisdom.” — Pythagoras", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Pythagoras", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "As the sea-crab swimmeth always against...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/as-the-sea-crab-swimmeth-always-against-the-stream-so-doth-wit-always/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/as-the-sea-crab-swimmeth-always-against-the-stream-so-doth-wit-always/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```